Boyancy compensators for drysuit to wetsuit conversion

[Old Man Dave]

I have spent the last half of my 40-year diving career using compressed neoprene drysuits. These are simple, tough and provide my adjustable buoyancy. However, now that I am in semi retirement I don’t intend to spend £600 replacing my existing drysuit but instead I want to use my spearo wetsuit for scuba. This will entail me employing some sort of buoyancy compensator. This is the system I used for the first 20 years of scuba diving, wetsuits with mainly ABLJ’s

So I’ve looked at wings and dismissed them and settled on a stab jacket. However what I don’t want is a jacket with 20 D rings, 6 pockets, 5 valves, 12 straps, 3 hoses, emergency air bottle, spare air supply, extra hoses, removable do’s it, add on thingy, etc, etc, etc.

What I want is a simple, reliable, comfortable adjustable buoyancy jacket that my single tank fits on to and has one direct feed off my reg’. I want to use the jacket as the harness for my tank (not have extra straps as well). I want it to be as streamlined and snag proof as possible. Oh and did I mention, cheap is good.

So I’ve seen an Aqualung Wave and a Cressi Line. Specially like the look of the Wave. Both are described as suitable for clubs and rental. Does that mean they’re good or bad? Cheap and nasty or simple but tough?

So anyone help me. General comments or practical experience of these jackets or similar would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dave .

 

[Amphibious]

What I want is a simple, reliable, comfortable adjustable buoyancy jacket that my single tank fits on to and has one direct feed off my reg’. I want to use the jacket as the harness for my tank (not have extra straps as well). I want it to be as streamlined and snag proof as possible. Oh and did I mention, cheap is good.

look hard at a stainless backplate and wing. nothing gets simpler and more streamlined.

 

[omega3]

Hi Dave
Why did you rule out wings?
Many of the "travel" wings fit just that criteria you are after.